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Resident says Kaiser premium jump felt punitive; commissioners say negotiations continue
Summary
A resident told commissioners that an employee Kaiser premium rose from $88.46 to $303.20 after a Dec. 30 benefits email; commissioners said negotiations with the Employees Association remain ongoing and staff will review prior public records.
A Happy Valley resident told the Clackamas County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 13 that an abrupt jump in the employee Kaiser monthly premium — from $88.46 to $303.20 — felt punitive and was not adequately communicated during open enrollment.
Natalie Lutmer, who identified herself as from Happy Valley, said she received a benefits email on Dec. 30 that stated, "the new employee monthly Kaiser premium will be $303.2 as compared to $88.46 that was communicated in open enrollment." She said her Dec. 9 enrollment confirmation reflected the $88.46 figure and that the larger deduction first appeared in the Jan. 2025 paycheck. "It absolutely feels like ... a punitive measure for not having an agreement to the contracts," Lutmer said.
Commissioner Schroeder asked whether other bargaining units had ratified contracts; legal counsel Jane responded that, to her knowledge, the remaining unit in question had not ratified and that she did not see a process issue with how the public comment was handled. Commissioner Schroeder said the board cares about employees and hopes the issue will be resolved. Commissioner West said the board had understood during prior public meetings that premiums could increase if contracts remained unsettled; he asked county staff to compile and time-stamp meeting records and disclosures so the board and public can see when the change was raised. Nancy Bush, the county chief operating officer, agreed to assist.
Commissioner Savas added that both the Employees Association (EA) and ASME had not ratified contracts and that the board had anticipated potential consequences if agreements were not reached. No formal action was taken during the meeting; commissioners indicated negotiations remain underway.
Direction: staff (county administration) agreed to review prior public records and provide time-stamped references to meetings and materials that addressed potential premium changes if contract ratification did not occur.
